Pseudophasmatidae

Definition

A family of stick insects (order Phasmida) in the suborder Verophasmatodea and superfamily Pseudophasmatoidea, commonly called the striped walkingsticks. Members are distinguished by a mesothorax that is never more than three times the length of the prothorax, a ratio that separates them from many other phasmid families with more elongated thoracic segments. The family includes seven recognized tribes and is primarily Neotropical in distribution.

Etymology

From Pseudophasma (type genus, from Greek pseudo- 'false' + phasma 'apparition, phantom') + -idae (family suffix)

Example

Anisomorpha buprestoides, a well-known North American striped walkingstick that aggregates and sprays defensive secretions, belongs to tribe Anisomorphini within Pseudophasmatidae.

Related Terms

• Phasmida
• Verophasmatodea
• Pseudophasmatoidea
• Anareolatae
• Phasmatidae
• prothorax
• Mesothorax
• Anisomorpha
• Pseudophasma

Usage Notes

The family was historically broader; modern taxonomy restricts it to the striped walkingsticks with the characteristic short mesothorax. The thoracic ratio (mesothorax ≤ 3× prothorax length) is a key diagnostic character used in field keys and museum identifications. Contrast with Phasmatidae sensu stricto and other families in which the mesothorax is typically much more elongated.